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Djokovic withdraws from ATP Montreal event

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Djokovic withdraws from ATP Montreal event

World number two Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from next week’s ATP Canadian Open tournament in Montreal, Tennis Canada said on Monday.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion from Serbia has reached the third round of the Paris Olympics with a victory over Spain’s Rafael Nadal.

Djokovic, 37, has won 98 career ATP titles but will not compete in the hardcourt tune-up event for the US Open, which begins on August 26.

“While we’re disappointed that Novak will be unable to take part in this year’s tournament, we understand his decision and wish him the best at the Olympics and the remainder of his season,” tournament director Valerie Tetreault said.

Djokovic’s withdrawal will give Roman Safiullin, a 26-year-old Russian ranked 66th in the world, a spot in the main draw.

The schedule at Montreal was changed from the usual Monday-Sunday format due to the Olympics, with main draw action starting Tuesday, August 6 and the finish on Monday, August 12

AFP

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No internal crisis in Ondo APC

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No internal crisis in Ondo APC

With just a few months to go before the Ondo State governorship election, the Lucky Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organisation has expressed confidence that the ruling All Progressives Congress in the state is well-prepared for the forthcoming poll, scheduled for November 16.

The Lucky Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organisation has denied claims of a crisis within the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State, instead asserting that the party is becoming increasingly united and stronger by the day.

The Director-General of Campaign Organisation, Victor Olabimtan, spoke with our correspondent on Sunday during the meeting of the party members, held at Supare Akoko in Akoko South-West Local Government Areas of the state.

Olabimtan, who is also the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board claimed that the defection of some members of the party to the opposition party could not impede the success of the party at the forthcoming governorship poll, declaring that no candidate could beat the party’s candidate and governor of the state in the election.

He said, “The party is ready, we are moving into action. There is no crisis whatsoever in the party, in fact, we are going stronger and stronger everyday. As some are leaving, the people that are joining are more than those that are leaving, if three leave, 100 come in. Those who are coming in are much more and they will do more than those who are leaving.

“Aiyedatiwa is the best candidate. There are no other candidates that can beat him. He is composed, he has the capacity, capability, educational background, resources and everything that it takes to be a governor.

“In the last six months, the whole people in Ondo State and Nigeria at large know that we have a governor who is principled, who knows what he is doing, where he is going and a governor who knows the needs of the people of Ondo state and who wants to meet all those needs.”

In his remarks, one of the party’s stalwarts, Niran Olanusi, said the purpose of the meeting is to deliberate and strategies ahead the campaign for the party which is about to kick off.

He bragged that the party had no opposition in the election, saying Aiyedatiwa had impressed the people of the state with his performance in the few months that he assumed power.

“Aiyedatiwa has made it easy for us to mobilize supporters for the party due to his excellent performance in the last seven months that he came to power.

“So the party has no opposition in the state because majority of the people especially in Akoko areas are ready to show their support to the governor through their votes in the forthcoming election,” Olanusi stated.

Uphold rights of all protesters — Groups urge judiciary

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Uphold rights of all protesters — Groups urge judiciary

Thirty-seven non-governmental organisations, NGOs, have urged the Nigerian Judiciary and the National Human Rights Commission,
NHRC, to uphold the rights of all protesters and establish a mechanism to promptly address and dismiss oppressive charges that may arise from the forthcoming protests slated for Thursday.
In a joint press statement made available in Taraba on Monday, the group of NGOs reaffirmed the fundamental right of citizens to peaceful protest as a fundamental pillar of democratic governance.
“This right is a cornerstone of any democratic society and a critical means for citizens to express their dissatisfaction, demand accountability, and advocate for change,” they stated.
The organisations which collectively appended their signatures to the statement include 21st Century Community Empowerment for Youth and Women Initiative; Accountability Lab Nigeria; Africa Institute for Energy Governance, AFIEGO, Uganda; BudgIT Foundation; Centre for Accountability and Inclusive Development, CAAID; Centre for Inclusive Social Development, CISD; Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development, CJID; Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC; Dataphyte Foundation; DigiCivic Initiative; Enough is Enough, EiE; Health Education and Human Rights Advocacy Initiative, HEHRAI; and Hope Behind Bars Africa, among others.
Protest, according to them, is a legitimate form of expression enshrined in international human rights instruments, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, UDHR, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended), among others.
They added: “It [protest] allows citizens to publicly voice their concerns, challenge injustices, and participate actively in the democratic process.
“Protests serve as a vital mechanism for holding leaders accountable and ensuring that government actions reflect the will and needs of the people.”
The group further noted: “History has shown that protests can lead to significant changes in government policies, processes and practices, highlighting the power of collective action to address grievances and promote good governance.
“While the right to protest is a fundamental principle of democratic nations, we concede that it must be exercised peacefully and responsibly without violating the rights of others.”
The NGOs urged all parties, including protest organisers, participants, and law enforcement agencies, to prioritise safety and the rule of law, stating that law enforcement must safeguard protesters while upholding public order.
They also urged protesters to avoid activities that might exacerbate tensions, cause unrest or threaten public safety.
“Attempts to suppress demonstrations through intimidation, excessive use of force, or unjust legal actions are unacceptable and counterproductive,” they warned.
“Every protest is deemed peaceful, and if intelligence indicates otherwise, it is the role of the appropriate government agencies to identify such saboteurs and arrest them immediately. Arresting protest organisers shows a lack of understanding of the enemies of the state,” they added.
Uphold rights of all protesters — Groups urge judiciary

Osun directs primary, secondary schools to vacate Wednesday

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Osun directs primary, secondary schools to vacate Wednesday

Osun State State Government has directed primary and secondary schools in the state to proceed on third term vacation beginning from Wednesday.

The government said the directive affects both public and private schools in the state.

The government further explained that its decision to shut the schools was sequel to the planned protest against hunger scheduled to hold on August 1 nationwide.

A Public Service Announcement signed by the Permanent Secretary, the State Ministry of Education, Mr A. Jimoh, obtained in Osogbo on Monday, also admonished parents and guardians to ensure safety of their children during the vacation.

The PSA partly read, “This is to inform the general public, particularly parents, guardians and heads of both public and private schools in the state that due to the planned nationwide protests, all schools are directed to proceed on the third term vacation From Wednesday 31st July, 2023.

“Parents and Guardians are advised to ensure the safety of their wards during the vacation.”

Earlier on Monday, the state governor, Ademola Adeleke, had met leaders of Civil Society Organisations and student groups in the state, where issues regarding the proposed hunger strike were discussed.

Outcome of the meeting was still being expected as at the time of filing this report.

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Gunmen kill four police officers, PoS operator in Imo

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Gunmen kill four police officers, PoS operator in Imo

Gunmen on Monday evening killed four police officers at stop and search checkpoint along Owerri-Onitsha road in Imo state.

An eyewitness, who claimed to be a resident of Irete in Owerri-west Local Government Area of the state, said fear couldn’t allow him and others to ascertain how many civilians were also shot.

He said, “The gunmen stormed one of the popular hotels where the police checkpoint was mounted at Irete around 6:30 pm and shot at the four policemen on the stop and search duty, including a Point of Sale operator.

“They also shot dead a female Point of Sale operator and some pedestrians who were taken unawares and they were all rushed to a nearby hospital. It was horrific. All the people around ran away for fear of being hit by stray bullets.

“This road has become a soft spot for them. Last time, they also shot dead several policemen on duty and civilians.

“Government should beef up security in this area to forestall further occurrences.”

Another indigene, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the attackers were enforcers of Monday sit-at-home.

He added, “I didn’t know the Monday sit-at-home is still existing in Imo state. I thought it had been stopped but with what happened today, people will no longer come out on Monday for fear of being killed by gunmen.”

Efforts to get the reaction of the Imo State Police Spokesman, Henry Okoye, proved abortive as he was yet to respond to the text message sent to him as of the time of filling this report.

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FG approves 13 road projects worth N1.44tn, purchases 7,887 dialysis consumables

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FG approves 13 road projects worth N1.44tn, purchases 7,887 dialysis consumables

The Federal Executive Council on Monday revisited and approved 13 road projects in various states of the federation worth about N1.455tn.

The projects were mostly those the Council stepped down on July 10 due to a lack of funding.

The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, disclosed this while briefing correspondents on the outcome of Monday’s Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja.

Umahi said that even though some other projects were similarly stepped down in Monday’s session, the council approved several others.

Umahi said, “The first one is the rehabilitation of Abeokuta-Iboro-Ilaro Road in Ogun state. It’s a contract sum of N57bn approved by FEC today for Strabic Construction

“The second one is the road from Mubi to Maiduguri Road section three. The contract is approved for a total sum of N89bn and this is an NNPC project, it is being reviewed and approved for N89bn total contract sum and that is for MESSRS Decency Associates Limited.

“Then the third project approved today was Mubi to Maiduguri (Section Two). But this section is also very bad. So, we had to re-procure it on rigid pavement. The relocation is approved for 42km at a contract sum that was awarded before. It has not increased. It is N67bn and was inherited from the past administration.”

The others include Benin-Akure-Ilesha Road a 300km concrete pavement dual carriageway with a contract sum of N525bn awarded to HiTech Construction; Benin-Akure, by Ilesha (section 2), a 66km road to be dualised by HiTech Construction for N286bn and the Angingali-Udobi-Udona-Umo-Uwana-Ubalaka road in Imo state being undertaken by the NNPCL, with a contract sum reviewed from N14bn to N26.46bn.

Umahi added, “We have another NNPC project, rehabilitation of Aba-Owerri Road, NNPC depot expressway in Abia State. The project has been reviewed in favour of Rudo Nigeria Limited in the sum of N21bn.

“We have another project going from Odukpani Itu in Ikot-Ekpene in Cross Rivers State, and it’s being handled by CCECC. This project has been reviewed from N50bn to N79bn because the terrain is very bad. We decided to use reinforced concrete pavement for the two carriageways.

“Then we have the rehabilitation of Enugu-Port Harcourt again by CCECC. They started the project about four years back at the Port Harcourt axis, and they’re going towards Aba. The project was revised from N63bn to N83bn in favour of CCECC.”

The minister also announced other projects, which included the Igomu bridge to be rehabilitated by Buildwell Nigeria Limited for N19.87bn; the last section of the Ikot-Ekpene road from Akwa Ibom, whose project sum was reviewed from N54bn to N90bn. The project is to be executed in reinforced concrete by Julius Berger.

“And we have the Ore-Ondo-Akure Road, which is under special intervention due to flooding. It is 24 months long and has a total contract sum of N134bn in favour of CBC Nigeria Limited, which will use concrete because of the terrain.

“Lastly, we have the Ofin-Oreta Road, Ikorodu in Lagos state. That project is in favour of GRB for a construction period of 18 months for N27.9bn,” he stated.

The Council also stepped down three projects, which will be reviewed at its next meeting. One is the Natalla-Boru Road in Kano State, which was stepped down because “there are no funds for it.” Umahi said his ministry would “Liaise with the National Assembly if they will give us funds.”

The Ojo-Odum-Okuku Road in Benue State was also stepped down for review at the next FEC meeting, as was the Umuahia-Aba road project by Arab Contractors, which is “85 per cent in completion.”

Meanwhile, the Council approved the purchase of 7,887 dialysis consumables to enhance healthcare access for Nigerians with kidney diseases.

The Minister of Health and Coordinating Minister for Social Work, Ali Pate, who addressed State House correspondents, said the approval aims to address the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes.

The consumables will be distributed across seven federal tertiary hospitals, including the University of Benin Teaching Hospital and the National Hospital in Abuja.

Pate harped on the importance of prevention alongside treatment, revealing plans for public health screenings and lifestyle modifications to reduce future cases of kidney disease.

He explained, “In continuation of the President’s efforts including reducing the cost of access to health care services considering the vast non-communicable disease that we experience in Nigeria, hypertension, diabetes, kidney disease, several vascular diseases, the council today approved the one of purchase of 7,887 sets of dialysis consumables, for the use of Nigerians who are suffering from chronic disease in seven of our federal tertiary hospitals.

“These hospitals are the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, the Federal Medical Center in Ebuta Metta, the Federal Medical Center in Owerri, the National Hospital, Abuja, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, the University Teaching Hospital in Maiduguri and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital in Bauchi.”

Pate said the effort is geared towards making the cost of treatment affordable for those who suffer from integral disease through dialysis.

He said, “It’s a start. However, dealing with kidney disease requires not only dialysis but also prevention. That’s part of the efforts of the Federal Ministry of Health to ensure that we prevent cases of hypertension, and diabetes that progress to kidney disease. We’re looking at screening so that Nigerians will be able to screen themselves for hypertension and diabetes but also get the lifestyle modification so that we have fewer and fewer people requiring dialysis.

“But for those who are affected, we know that the cost of access to that is a major impediment. This effort by Mr. President is to bring relief within the context of several other policy measures to ensure that Nigerians have access to critical healthcare services.

“With this approval, we’ll provide those and I think it will bring relief to many Nigerians and their families for accessing dances, and services. They’re very much needed in our country.”

The Information Minister, Mohammed Idris, had earlier explained in July that the projects were inherited from past administrations and, therefore, required augmentation. He said that before additional funding, the President had directed a thorough examination of the projects to ensure probity, proficiency, and diligence in their execution, explained the had earlier on July 10.

Govt fully prepared to turn things around – Wike

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Govt fully prepared to turn things around – Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has again called on residents of Abuja to be calm and have patience with the Tinubu administration.
Wike spoke on Monday while carrying out an inspection visit to the construction site of the nine-kilometre Paikon Kore-Ibwa rural road in Gwagwalada Area Council.
The minister expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work at the site.
Wike stated that the project was one of the roads that the president directed that must be completed in the satellite towns, stressing that the contractor has also promised to complete the road and hand it over by December this year.
He said: “I’m very happy and the contractor has promised that by December, they would have completed and handed over. This is a nine-kilometre road.
“It’s interesting because this is one of the roads in the satellite towns that Mr President instructed must be completed.”
Wike also stated that the road project, when completed, will improve access to farmlands and markets in rural areas, adding that it will also help to address the challenges of food insecurity in the country.
He urged the communities around the area to be patient.
“I will continue to urge them to be calm, to be patient. This government is fully prepared to turn things around,” he said.
Govt fully prepared to turn things around – Wike

Hunger protest: This is beyond Asiwaju coming to do a miracle

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Hunger protest: This is beyond Asiwaju coming to do a miracle

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, on Monday, warned that there is a perception that some political elements are striving to use the anticipated August 1, to 10, #EndBadGovernance nationwide protest as a subtle coup d’etat to provoke the military into overthrowing President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

This was even as the chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party expressed conviction that no political leader could revive Nigeria’s ailing economy in one year.

Fayose disclosed this when he was featured as a guest on Monday’s edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today.

He said, “There is a perception out there that it (protest) is a coup. That is the perception everywhere. Now they are giving the impression that they want to use this coup for the military to come in. If you are not hearing anything, you have to put your ears to the ground.

“There is no leader that will allow them to come and topple his government. It is good that Asiwaju himself has admitted that protest is good. But the people protesting should remember the consequences of politicising it.

“No man can turn this country around in one year? Let us leave all these talks about APC and PDP. I am not here to hold brief for anybody. The moment your finances are so bad, it is difficult. Today, it is not easy to turn Nigeria into the original state or turn around the situation so easily. And I mean what I’m saying.”

The demonstration, scheduled to run from August 1 to 15, has continued to generate tension and elicit mixed reactions from Nigerians

Several groups who indicated interest in championing the campaign said the call for protest was provoked by the soaring cost of living and economic hardship in the country.

Speaking further, the former governor warned that both the government and protesters need to exercise a lot of restraint and not allow the issue to get out of hand.

He also stressed that stakeholders and political leaders would not sit back and watch the country go up in flames.

“Both the government and protesters need to exercise a lot of restraint. During my time as governor of Ekiti, I was one of the vocal people who put the (federal) government in check. But at no time did I call out people to go and do things that can bring the country down. We need to be very careful. We are in a critical stage of our life.

“It doesn’t matter if we protest. When you protest, you will come back to still find that the situation is the same. If Jonathan is not good, Buhari is not good and Asiwaju is not good. Then there is a fundamental problem we all have to address. This is beyond Asiwaju coming to do a miracle.

“We will not look away and allow this country to go down. Already we are in a critical situation, very critical. Let me give you an illustration. When an aircraft is about to land and, at some point, there is an emergency, there are certain levels that the aircraft would have gone for it to land. Otherwise, the aircraft will crash. I pray Nigeria will not crash,” he stated.

OAU asks varsity community to be law-abiding

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OAU asks varsity community to be law-abiding

The management of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, has urged members of the university community to go about their civic responsibilities with a “high sense of commitment and vigilance.”

In a Monday circular issued by the university’s Registrar and Secretary to Council, Adetunji Bakare, the management gave the advice amid the planned nationwide hunger protests scheduled to begin Thursday, August 1, 2024.

Bakare enjoined students who had completed their examinations to go home and be with their families while those who are still writing their examinations should remain peaceful and law-abiding.

“A nationwide protest is being planned to commence on August 1, 2024. In view of this, the Vice-Chancellor has enjoined staff and students of Obafemi Awolowo University to prioritise their individual and collective security, not neglecting that of the university properties. They are also advised to be law-abiding before, during and after the planned protest,” the registrar said.

“Members of the university community are enjoined to go about their civic responsibilities with the highest sense of commitment and vigilance. The security unit in the university has been directed to keep surveillance over the entire university estate,” the statement added.

A student, Kazeem Olalekan, told According Online that he and some other students would be protesting peacefully, which according to him, is a tradition of OAU students.

“We are known as the only school where students go on protest without vandalising public properties. The management has just reminded us to be law-abiding as we embark on the protest which is the essence of the circular. The university management has just made the public know that, as students, we will be law-abiding before, during and after the protest which is the essence of the circular,” he said.

Kazeem said the police had assured them of security.

On Monday, a non-governmental organisation, ActionAid Nigeria, called on the federal government to ensure the rights and safety of Nigerian youths planning the nationwide protest.

The organisation emphasised the importance of citizens’ constitutional rights to peaceful assembly and protest.

On Sunday, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, urged Nigerians to be patient and give President Bola Tinubu more time to address the nation’s economic challenges.

Tunji-Ojo, speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, emphasised the complexity and historical depth of the nation’s economic issues.

“Mr President, to the best of my knowledge, never campaigned to be a magician; he campaigned as a statesman. He campaigned based on ‘Renewed Hope’. Before hope could be renewed, it had dwindled,” Tunji-Ojo stated.

He highlighted that solving economic problems rooted in decades of mismanagement could not be achieved overnight.

Protest: Coalition condemns FG’s silence on hardship

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Protest: Coalition condemns FG’s silence on hardship

The Coalition of Civil Society for Good Governance, CCSGG, expressed concern on Monday over the continued silence of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration over the hardships in the country.
The group maintained that the government ought to have engaged with the citizenry on the situation in the country.
According to the coalition, the lack of communication between the people and the government, particularly in the areas of policies, had further heightened tensions across the country.
Addressing newsmen at the NUJ Press Centre in Akure, Ondo State capital, on the planned nationwide protest, the coordinator of the coalition, Dotun Ajulo, stressed that the nature of the protest calls for concern due to its facelessness.
He said: “We are all aware that the democracy in the country was borne out of protest. But the interesting thing about those forms of protest is that they all have a name for them. The simple question that we might like to even throw out there is: What face can we put on the looming protest? There is no face.
“We are not sparing the federal government. The federal government has not done enough, and in all fairness, that is least expected of the current administration of President Bola Tinubu. They have not done enough to engage the masses. The Ministry of Information has not done enough to engage us. You can’t be taking or driving me to a destination that I don’t know.
“The success of every government is its ability to communicate with the people in a language they understand. We, as Nigerians, are used to suffering in terms of policies, but incurring the cost of that pain might require surgery.
“So, the policy of the government as it is today for those of us that could take the pains to read through their actions is such that it will have a long-term effect, and honestly, it is going to come up with unbearable pain.”
Protest: Coalition condemns FG’s silence on hardship

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